ARTICLE I: NAME
The official name of this organization shall be the MARIETTA BASSMASTERS, hereinafter referred to as the Club.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The Marietta Bassmasters is an organization of, for, and by bass fishermen. The purpose of the organization is to bring together dedicated bass fishermen for the exchange of ideas, betterment of the environment, and for the fellowship derived from Club functions.
ARTICLE III: GOVERNMENT
A. Parliamentary Authority: The parliamentary authority governing meetings of the club shall be the most current edition of Roberts Rules of Order.
B. Club Officers: The elected officers of the Club shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Sergeant-at-Arms, and a Director of Communications and Education. The term of office for each officer shall be one year. The duties of the officers are defined as follows:
1. President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Executive Board. He shall have general supervision and direction of the Club’s committees, and shall see that their duties are properly executed.
2. Vice President: The Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President. If the office of the President becomes vacant before expiration of term, the Vice President fills the unexpired term, and the office of Vice President shall be filled by a special election at the next regular business meeting.
The Vice President shall also serve as Tournament Director and Tournament Committee chairman.
He shall preside at the weigh ins, and shall appoint members of the Tournament Committee to the following positions for each tournament:
a) Timekeeper: The Timekeeper will verify that all boats return to the weigh in site on time. He will synchronize his watch with that of the Tournament Director prior to the beginning of each tournament day and will monitor the arrival of tournament boats at the end of each tournament day. He will report any late arrivals to the Tournament Director.
b)
Inspector: The Inspector will verify the number,
species, and mortality rates of fish brought to the scales.
He
will also verify that fish brought to the scale meet or exceed the minimum
length requirements as defined in the bylaws.
The inspector will report this data directly to the Recorder.
c)
Weigh Master: The Weigh Master will weigh the fish and will
report the weights directly to the Recorder. This position will usually be
filled by the Tournament Director.
d) Recorder: The Recorder will act as the tournament scribe and will document the data given to him by the Inspector and the Weigh Master.
These positions may be filled by other Club member should an insufficient number of Tournament Committee members be present at a weigh in.
3. Director of Communications & Education: The Director of Communications & Education shall be responsible for internal membership communications as requested by the President, and for maintenance of the Club’s website. He shall maintain statistics for Club tournaments and file statistical reports with the Georgia Bass Club Federation as required.
He shall be responsible for coordination of lodging arrangements for Club tournaments, as well as any special functions (such as group meals) held in conjunction with tournaments.
He shall also be responsible for arranging educational programs (outside speakers, seminars, etc.) for the Club from time to time.
The Director of Communications & Education shall also function as membership chairman, and shall provide each prospective member with a membership packet, and explain generally what is required of a Club member. Should the office of Director of Communications & Education become vacant during the year, it shall be filled by special election.
4. Secretary: The Secretary shall maintain a complete and accurate record of all Club meetings and all Executive Board meetings. He shall also maintain an accurate roster of Club membership, and shall handle such other correspondence as may be requested of him by the President. Should the office of Secretary become vacant during the year, it shall be filled by special election.
5. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall maintain the funds and financial records of the Club and shall receive and disburse funds as directed by the Club or by the Executive Board shall maintain a simple system of financial accounts, and shall present a summary report of those accounts at each Club meeting. Should the office of Treasurer become vacant during the year, it shall be filled by special election.
6. Sergeant-at-Arms: It shall be the responsibility of the Sergeant-at-Arms to maintain general order at Club meetings, and to levy and collect such fines as may be imposed upon Club members. Should the office of Sergeant-at-Arms become vacant during the year, it shall be filled by special Election.
C. Executive Board: The Executive Board shall consist of the current Club officers, the immediate Past President, and two (2) additional members-at-large elected by the Club. The Board shall meet at least twice a year at a time and place designated by the President. The Executive Board will be the final authority in the interpretation of Club rules, and in any matters not covered in the Bylaws. Vacancies among at-large members on the Executive Board will be filled by special election.
ARTICLE IV:
MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURES:
A. Club Membership: Club membership is selective and the number of members is limited to 42; however, honorary Lifetime Members will not be counted toward the 42 member limit when tallying total membership. Members are not required to own a boat; however, members and/or prospective members are responsible for maintaining a minimum of $300,000 of liability insurance on all boats used at Club functions. The Executive Board has the right to verify proof of insurance at the time of membership or whenever deemed necessary. Members, prospective members, and guests are required to sign a Release document, as prescribed by the Club, releasing Club officers and members from liability for injury or bodily harm before participating in any Club function.
B. Processing Procedure: As openings occur, applicants will be reviewed in order of their dated applications.
C. Prospective Members:
1. Prospective members must be at least 21 years of age to be considered for membership in the Club. The sons of current Club members are eligible for membership at age 18, and if admitted, may retain their membership so long as their fathers continue to be active members, and all other membership requirements are met. Once a member so admitted reaches the age of 21, active participation by his father is no longer a membership requirement for said member.
Prospective members must attend two regular Club meetings and fish two tournaments before being voted on at the next (third) regular Club meeting.
2. Each prospective member will be given a Fact Sheet at his first meeting and the Secretary will be responsible for acquainting him with Club rules and activities, and the responsibilities of Club members.
3. Prospective members are not eligible to participate in tournament prizes and the optional Big Fish pot (see Article VII, Section B).
The weight of any fish caught by a prospective member while participating in Club tournaments prior to his being accepted into membership will, however, be credited toward his yearly total weight once he has become a regular member of the Club.
4. A new member will pay quarterly dues for the full quarter in which he is accepted at the time of his acceptance into the Club. To participate in the Big Fish pot and be eligible for tournament prizes, he must pay this assessment before fishing his first tournament as a new member.
D. Inactive Membership: Upon his formal request, and with the approval of the Club, a member can be carried inactive for a period of six (6) months. At the end of the six month period, he may be reinstated as an active member or have his inactive status extended for an additional six (6) months by action of the club. An inactive member shall begin paying quarterly dues retroactive to the beginning of the quarter in which he returns to active status. To be granted inactive status, a member must have all dues owing paid up to the date inactive status begins. No member will be allowed to return to active status until all money owed to the Club is paid.
E. Termination of Membership: Membership may be terminated by the resignation of the member, or by dismissal.
Resignations should be in writing and be addressed to the President of the Club. Such resignations should state the reason(s) for the resignation, and the effective date of same.
Dismissal of a member may occur for the following reasons:
1. Two-thirds of the Club members ask for his resignation.
2. He fails to pay dues and other financial assessments in a timely manner.
3. He misses three consecutive meetings or three consecutive tournaments.
4. He fails to attend 75% of all Club functions in a given year.
The decision to dismiss a member is that of the Executive Board, who shall have sole discretion in this matter.
G. Reinstatement of Former Members. Former members who resigned in good
standing with the Club may be reinstated to active membership provided the
following:
1. Club membership is open to additional
members.
2. At a regularly scheduled monthly meeting, the
former member notifies the Club, either directly or through proxy, of his
desire to reinstate his membership.
3. Club members approve the former member’s
request for reinstatement by a simple majority vote at the regularly scheduled
monthly meeting following the meeting at which the former member requested
reinstatement. Former members are not
required to be present at the meeting at which the vote is taken.
ARTICLE
V: VOTING PROCEDURES
A. New Members: A prospective member will be voted on by the Club after he meets the requirements set forth in article IV. The vote will be by secret ballot following a Club discussion of the prospective member. Three (3) votes against a prospective member will disqualify him from membership. The prospective member has the option to attend or not attend the meeting at which he will be voted upon.
B. Club Officers: Nomination and election of Club officers will be held at the DECEMBER meeting each year. Nominations will be from the floor, and officers and committee members will be nominated and elected in the following succession: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-at-Arms, Director of Communications and Education, two (2) Executive Board Members-at-Large, and four (4) Tournament Committee members.
Election of Club officers will be by secret ballot, and winning candidates must receive a simple majority vote of those members present and voting. Failure of a nominee to receive a simple majority will result in a runoff between the top two nominees. New officers will be installed at the JANUARY meeting
ARTICLE
VI: AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
These Bylaws may be amended at any regular business meeting by a two-thirds vote of those members present and voting, provided written notice of the proposed changes has been given at a previous meeting. They may also be amended at a special meeting called for that purpose by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII: FINANCES
The operational expenses of the Club, including tournament prizes and year-end prizes, are financed through quarterly dues and special assessments.
A. Quarterly Dues: Each member shall pay quarterly dues of $50.00. Such dues are payable at the January, April, July, and October meetings.
When a member is absent at a meeting at
which dues are to be paid, it is his responsibility to contact the Treasurer
and make payment arrangements before the next meeting.
If a member fails to pay his dues within 90 days of the monthly meeting at which the dues are payable, he will forfeit his right to fish all future tournaments until his dues are paid, and shall be notified of same in writing by the Club secretary.
B. Optional Big Fish Pot: An optional Big Fish pot is maintained by the Club, and members who wish to participate are assessed $2.00 per month.
No
payments from the Big Fish pot will be made to any member who has not paid his
monthly assessment up to date prior to fishing the tournament in which he qualified
to win the pot. To win the pot requires a fish of seven (7) pounds or more,
except on
C. Special Assessments: From time to time, a financial assessment may be levied against the membership of the Club for special projects or purposes. Such assessments must have the approval of either the full Club (by simple majority vote of those present and voting at a regular or called Club meeting) or the Executive Board. $20.00 of each member’s annual dues shall be designated for Club functions/parties.
D. Monthly Tournament Prizes. A total of $240.00 will be allocated from the Club treasury for monthly tournament prizes, as follows:
Boater Prizes Non-Boater Prizes Overall Prizes
E. Year End Prizes:
1. Top Six Team: Trophies will be awarded to the top six individual fisherman based on overall tournament standings for the year, and to the fisherman catching the largest fish during the year. A jacket or shirt(s) will also be awarded to each team member who actually fishes the Top Six tournament.
2. At the end of each Club year, funds from the Club treasury shall be allocated by the Executive Board to the Top Six Team to help cover expenses associated with fishing the Georgia Bass Federation’s Top Six Tournament.
3. The money allocated for year-end prizes and Top Six Tournament expenses should leave the Club treasury with a minimum balance of $l00.00 after all known expenses are met.
F. Fines: From time to time, fines or other financial penalties may be imposed upon Club members as permitted by Club rules. Money collected from all such fines shall be paid into the Club treasury.
Article VIII:
TOURNAMENT RULES
A.
1. Tournament Year: The tournament year for 2007, will be defined as the period from January 1, 2007 to August 31, 2007. This qualifies under the GBCF bylaws for a minimum requirement of 6 tournaments in order to participate in the Top Six Divisional format. All subsequent years will be defined as September 1 to August 31.
2. Calendar year: Defined as January 1 to December 31. Tournament dates for the calendar year will be selected by the Executive Board prior to the first tournament of any new calendar year. The following rules shall govern the selection of tournament dates:
a. Dates should avoid known conflicts with other major tournaments and events.
b. No more than three (3) two-day tournaments should be scheduled in a given year.
c. Locations for two-day tournaments should be decided early in order that lodging accommodations can be arranged.
d. Established tournament dates or times can only be changed by the Executive Committee upon the recommendation of the Tournament Committee.
3. Top Six Qualifications: The top six individual anglers and alternates based on standings from the defined tournament year (s) will be used as the qualifier for the GBCF Northern Divisional Tournament starting in 2007 and all subsequent years. This amendment can be modified or eliminated based on the qualification process and tournament structure put forth by the GBCF bylaws.
4. Participation in club Affiliation-sponsored (B.A.S.S., FLW) tournaments: The individual anglers and alternates will be chosen based on rankings using standings from the tournament year ending August 31. If any chosen angler cannot fish in an affiliation tournament, the standings from August 31st will be used to determine alternates, starting with the next place finisher and so on until an alternate angler is found to represent the club. .
B. Tournament Committee: The Tournament Committee shall consist of the Tournament Director (Vice-President) and 4 members nominated from, and elected by, the Club Membership. The tournament director will act as the Chairman of the Committee and will vote only in the case of a tie. Tournament Committee members will fill the positions of time keeper, inspector, weigh master, and recorder at each tournament. They will also set up and takedown the equipment required for the tournament weigh in. Club members not willing to perform these functions should decline nomination to the Tournament Committee.
The Committee shall
produce on a monthly basis two lake choices for each one day
tournament. Those choices will be
presented to the Club at the regular monthly meeting held in the month
preceding the month in which the tournament is held. The lakes to be fished will be chosen by simple majority vote of those members
present and voting at the meeting where the lake choices are presented. Lakes for two-day
tournaments will be presented and chosen a
minimum of six months in advance to assure the availability of
accommodations. In the event of
extenuating circumstances that may impact the desirability of lakes recommended
by the Tournament Committee for any given month, other lakes may be substituted
for those originally recommended by the Committee at any regular monthly
meeting prior to the tournament.
If
a lake chosen by the club is determined to be undesirable by the Tournament Committee
due to unsafe conditions, weather, low water levels or other unforeseen
conditions, the Tournament Committee will move the tournament to the originally
proposed alternate lake for that month.
If the alternate lake is determined to be undesirable as well, the
Tournament Committee will present two new lakes to the membership at the next
scheduled meeting. If a regularly scheduled meeting is not scheduled prior to the date of
the tournament, the Executive Committee will choose one of the two new lakes
proposed. The Executive Committee,
upon recommendation from the Tournament Committee, shall have final say over
any decision to cancel a tournament or to change tournament dates or times if
changes need to be made prior to a regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
C. Tournament Scoring System: Tournament scoring will be based on total weight. A penalty of one ounce will be subtracted from the total weight for each dead fish weighed in. Year-end weight for each member will be the cumulative total of all the weight he has recorded for each of the monthly tournaments.
C. Tournament Pairings: Tournament pairings shall be done at the Club meeting immediately preceding the tournament date.
D. Pairings will be done by the Vice-President and at least one other member of the Tournament Committee from a file maintained by the Vice-President.
When two boaters are paired, the boater highest in the standings has first choice of fishing boat or no boat. No two members shall fish together more than two times during a Club year, and each of those occasions shall be at least three months apart. No member will be paired odd more than once in a twelve month period.
E. Weigh-In Procedures:
1. All fish brought to the weigh-in shall be in a plastic bag with enough water to cover the fish. The fish will then be counted and checked to see if they are alive. Any fish of questionable length will be measured on a “Golden Rule”-style measuring board. Any fish failing to meet the minimum size limit for the lake being fished by simultaneously touching on both ends on the official measuring board will be culled from the stringer without credit, and an additional one-pound penalty will be assessed against the contestant’s total tournament weight.
2. If the contestant is left with only one fish after all short fish have been culled, the weight of that fish before a penalties are applied will be used to determine if it qualifies for Big Fish of the Tournament or for the optional Big Fish pot. The minimum length of any fish weighed in shall be twelve (12) inches, except where a longer minimum may be imposed by law on specific lakes.
3. If a member is late for a weigh-in, one pound of weight will be deducted from his total weight for each minute he is late up to fifteen (15) minutes late, after which the member will be disqualified and none of his fish shall be weighed. In the event of motor or other boat problems, catches of both partners will be weighed if one of them arrives at the weigh-in point on time with both stringers of fish. Penalties will apply as stated above. If notification of prior commitments is given to his partner and the Tournament Director, a member may be excused from any part of the tournament.
4. If a member becomes ill or disabled during a tournament, he may advise any other member of the Club, and have his fish weighed in by another member of his choosing.
5. A limit of five (5) bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, or shoal bass) per person per tournament day may be weighed in except in states or on specific lakes where a lesser number is the maximum legal limit. All live fish will be returned to the lake, except trophy fish.
6. Tournament results are final five (5) minutes after the last contestant has weighed in. No protest of weight or live count will be allowed unless fish are still available for re-count or re-weighing.
F. General
Rules Applicable To Tournaments:
1. All boats used in club tournaments must be equipped with a kill switch, (which must be used by the operator of the boat while the boat is in motion above idle speed) and a compass or a global positioning system (GPS).
2. All tournament participants are required to wear chest-type life preservers at all times when the outboard engine is in operation above idle speed. Violation of this rule will result in a $5.00 fine.
3. Only artificial lures may be used. No live bait is permitted.
4. Fish may be taken by casting or jigging methods only. No trolling is permitted.
5. When a Club member cannot be present at a meeting where tournament pairings are to be done, it is his responsibility to notify the tournament director or one of the other Club officers as to whether or not he will fish the upcoming tournament, and wishes to be paired “boat” or “no-boat.”
Members and prospective members who fail to notify the Tournament Director or a Club officer of their intent to fish, or not fish, prior to the beginning of each monthly meeting will be disqualified from competing in that month’s tournament. E-mails, voice mails, and messages sent via fellow members will not constitute a proper means of notification unless there are received and acknowledged by the recipient prior to the beginning of the monthly meeting. It is the responsibility of each member to ensure his notification is received by the appropriate club officer prior to the beginning of each monthly meeting.
Members disqualified from tournament competition for the reason cited in the previous paragraph may still show up and fish with the Club choose. However, disqualified members will not fish with a member who is competing in the tournament and, for clarification; the weight of any fish caught by disqualified members will not count toward the tournament or end-of-year standings.
Emergencies or reasonably unforeseen circumstances that prevent a member from providing proper notification of his intent to fish or not fish will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
In addition, members’ requests to be paired “odd” will not be honored. Members who feel their participation in an upcoming tournament is questionable should either notify the Tournament Director of their intent not to fish, or enter the tournament pairings process as a non-boater.
The Club recognizes there may be instances in which a member declares his intention not to fish, only to have circumstances change that will allow him to fish. In such instances, provided the member did provide proper notification of his intent not to fish, the member will be allowed to fish as follows:
a) The tournament director will pair the member with an available “odd” pairing and the member will fish as the non-boater.
b) The member pairs himself with another member who initially declared his intention not to fish. The tournament director must approve this pairing.
6. A member who does not show up at tournament
starting time without prior notification to his partner will be fined
$l0.00. If a “no-show’s” partner is unable to fish the
tournament due to a member not showing up, that member will reimburse the
partner who was unable to fish for his tournament fees. A second occurrence of this infraction by any
member will result in his automatic expulsion from the Club.
7. A tournament may be canceled due to dangerous weather conditions by a majority vote of those members present and voting at a special election called by the Executive Board at the tournament starting time.
8.. Safety during club tournaments is imperative. The Club acknowledges The Georgia Safe Boating Guide as an operational document that each Club member is responsible for reviewing and following during any Club function taking place on the water. The Non-boater is responsible for verifying the safety of the boat to be utilized during tournament and/or practice hours. Each boater will have a safety checklist in the boat, and the non-boater will utilize the checklist to inspect the boat and determine that it is safe to use. Any problems must be reported to the Tournament Director, who will then determine if the boat is safe to use for the event in question. Prior to each tournament or other event, the Tournament Director will brief the club regarding any safety concerns the members may be exposed to during the event. Violation of safety procedures will result in a $10.00 fine. Habitual offenders will be expelled from the Club.
ARTICLE
IX: GENERAL CLUB RULES
A. Consumption of alcoholic beverages will be allowed in conjunction with Club functions except during tournament hours. However, Club members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is acceptable to the other Club members. Should a member become intoxicated to the point that his conduct is unacceptable to the other members of the Club; the Executive Board may, with a majority vote, fine, suspend, or expel the member, at its discretion.
B. Where applicable, members must notify the meal coordinator by noon of the day preceding a Club meeting they will be unable to attend, or pay for the meal.
C. A Club member must be a member of a parent organization to fish a Top Six Tournament sponsored by that organization.
D. The Club will organize and execute at least one major project each year which will either help promote conservation or help a worthwhile charitable organization.
E. Members should consider Tournament pairings and agreement to participate in a specific Club project as a contract. Barring problems with work, family, or illness, members are expected to show up as agreed. If a member cannot show up when expected for a tournament, he should contact his partner and the Tournament Director as far in advance as possible.
If a member has agreed to participate in a project, party, or outing, and finds he cannot do so, he should notify the leader of the event as far in advance as possible. All new members will be expected to adhere to the Bylaws, including this pledge, upon being accepted into the Club. A Marietta Bassmaster’s word is his bond.
Revised: November 6, 2003
Revised: February 5,
2004
Revised: October 7,
2004
Revised: November 4,
2004
Revised: January 4, 2007
Revised: November 1,
2007:
a)
amended
Article V: Sec B
b) amended Article VIII: Sec B / paragragh 2
c) added Article VIII: Sec A / #2d
d) added Article VIII: Sec B / paragragh 3